What Election 2010 Means For Community Pharmacists and Their Patients

The 2010 election changed the political landscape as Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives and in state governments, while Democrats face a narrower majority in the Senate. But what does it mean to community pharmacists trying to provide their patients with accessible, high-quality and cost-effective care?

As a member-only benefit, NCPA compiled a detailed analysis of the election results, including a committee-by-committee look at what it could mean for patients and the community pharmacists who serve them. NCPA members can log in and access the full report by clicking here. Excerpts from the report follow below.

The House of Representatives

Republicans took control of the House of Representatives with a pickup of atleast 63 new seats in a convincing reordering of the political map. The Democrats picked up at least 3 seats making the 112th Congress at least 239 Republicans, 196 Democrats.

Some long-time champions are leaving Congress, including Zack Space (OH), Earl Pomeroy (ND), Allen Boyd (FL), and Mike McMahon (NY), among others. We want to thank these Members of Congress for their long-term support. We look forward to working with the new Members of Congress from these districts.

The Senate

Democrats will retain control of the Senate in 2011, albeit with a far smaller margin than during the 111th Congress. Republicans will likely hold 47 seats (with the Alaska race undecided – Republican Lisa Murkowski currently holds that seat and may retain it through an unprecedented “write in” campaign) and Democrats 53 seats (if the two current independents – Joe Lieberman (CT) and Bernie Sanders (VT) – continue as expected to caucus with the Democrats.

Special congratulations to Senator-elect Jerry Moran (R-KS). As a Congressman, he was co-chair of the Congressional Pharmacy Caucus, and was also lead sponsor of the PBM Audit bill in the House, H.R. 5234.

On smaller, but important, issues there appears to be an immediate appetite for compromise, as the word “tweak” was used by both chambers’ leaders -Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Speaker-elect John Boehner (R-OH). This will likely translate into a repeal or modification of the IRS 1099 reporting provision of the law, which unfairly burdens small businesses with onerous IRS reporting. (For more, see Averting a Compliance Nightmare for Independent Pharmacies.)

Regardless of the climate, NCPA will continue to work in as bipartisan a manner as possible to repeal or modify provisions that are harmful to our patients, our profession, and our small businesses, such as the 1099 reporting requirements, among others.

Hello, yes NCPA is working with Medicare officials on this topic and we share your concern. There have been some new developments on this issue very recently. Details are available in the latest newsletter from the NCPA Long-Term Care Division at http://www.ncpaltc.org.